Comics and graphic novels are taking a leading role in driving the circulation of libraries, and students are reading them from pre-K through higher education, in every learning environment possible. And more today than ever before, readership and content accurately reflect society. Brought to life through uniquely interdependent combination of words and pictures, graphic literature is a distinct narrative art form and it deserves to be celebrated.

We are now accepting submissions for any and all book-length works published during the calendar year of 2017, regardless of publisher size. Individuals, creative teams, editors, agents, and publishers are all welcome to submit their titles for consideration.

The deadline for submission is January 31st! To learn more click here.

Excellence in Graphic Literature Award Categories:

Children’s Fiction (Grade 5 & Under)

Children’s Nonfiction (Grade 5 & Under)

Middle Grade Fiction (Grades 6-8)

Middle Grade Nonfiction (Grades 6-8)

Young Adult Fiction (Grades 9-12)

Young Adult Nonfiction (Grades 9-12)

Adult Fiction

Adult Nonfiction

Mosaic Award – This honor recognizes the ever-growing number of talented storytellers and rich content that come from our diverse communities, ethnicities, nationalities, faiths, genders, and orientations. The Mosaic Award is open to titles that span any age range. Qualification for this category must include a statement as to how the submission reflects the principles of the Mosaic Award.

Book of the Year – Winners of each of the above nine categories will be entered into competition for the Book of the Year. Book of the Year will represent the year’s very best in graphic literature.

Submissions Window: Submissions are accepted from December 1, 2017 – January 31, 2018.

Following Submission: You will receive a follow up email within 2 business days that contains the following:

Submission and category confirmation

Shipping instructions for 10 copies of submitted titles (One copy for each of the seven jury members and three copies for the Pop Culture Classroom library)

Shipments must be postmarked no later than Friday, February 2nd.

Nominations Announcement: Titles that are nominated for the awards (finalists) will be announced on March 15, 2018. This list will be posted to this website as well as distributed to all relevant media outlets, distribution, and wholesale industry partners.

Winning Titles Announcement: Winning titles for each category, as well as the Book of the Year, will be introduced during a special ceremony to be held on June 16th, 2018 during Denver Comic Con. The list of winning titles will also be posted to the website and be immediately distributed to all relevant media outlets, distribution, and wholesale industry partners at the close of ceremonies.

Multiple Submissions: Publishers may wish to submit multiple titles at once. To simplify this process, we have provided this spreadsheet for your convenience. Please download and enter ALL information for each title. Incomplete entries will not be considered. You may email this completed spreadsheet to egl@popcultureclassroom.org by 5 PM MST on January 31th, 2018.

Having partnered with KidLitTV, the nominations ceremony will be livestreamed on March 15th.

Elizabeth Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.

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Features everything from librarian previews of upcoming children's books to news, reviews, and videos. If it has something to do with children's literature, it will rate a mention here.

Betsy Bird is the Youth Materials Specialist of New York Public Library. She's reviewed for The New York Times and Kirkus, writes articles for Horn Book and SLJ, and wrote the picture book Giant Dance Party. You can contact her at Fusenumber8@gmail.com or follow her on . . .